Our Introduction to using crime statistics page is just for you.

BOCSAR offers an Information Service that provides access to crime and criminal justice information, including customised data not available on our website. We work with members of the public, community organisations, government agencies, researchers, students and the media to respond to enquiries and data requests.

Depending on the complexity of your request, we may be able to provide additional statistics, customised data extracts or guidance on available data sources. Some requests are provided free of charge, while more complex requests may incur a fee.

You can contact on Information Service via phone or email.

Email: bcsr@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Telephone: (02) 8688 9800

To find out more about our Information Service, see our Information Service Policy.

BOCSAR offers an Information Service that deals directly with the public, community organisations, government departments, academics, students and the media.

BOCSAR is happy to answer requests for information by phone or email and can make reasonable adjustments on request to accommodate the needs of persons with a disability. You can contact on Information Service via phone or email.

Email: bcsr@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Telephone: (02) 8688 9800

To find out more about our Information Service, see our Information Service Policy.

Fees are based on the complexity of the data extraction and the time required to prepare and deliver the requested data. The table below provides an indication of the fees that may apply. Simple data requests that can be completed quickly are generally provided free of charge. More complex requests, updates to previous customised extracts, and major projects may incur a fee on a cost-recovery basis.

The following agencies and individuals are exempt from fees:

• NSW Government agencies
• Members of Parliament
• Individuals or organisations collaborating with BOCSAR on approved research projects

BOCSAR releases recorded crime data four times a year, generally in March, June, September and December. To ensure crime data is as accurate, valid and reliable as can be, we release data three to four months after the current quarter (e.g. in September data ending June for that year is released). To access our most recent recorded crime report, see our Crime and policing landing page. To generate your own crime report using the most recent crime data available, visit our Crime Mapping Tool.

We have written instructions and tips on how to use the tool within our Crime Mapping Tool user guide, including a demonstration on YouTube.

There are multiple resources which provide local crime statistics:

1. Crime Mapping Tool - If you want to prepare your own tailored crime report, our interactive Crime Mapping Tool provides maps, graphs and data on criminal incidents, victims and offenders in NSW council areas (Local Government Areas (LGAs), suburbs and postcodes. You can also make use of the advanced search options to further tailor your report. Some of the advanced options available are domestic or alcohol related crimes, time of day, age and gender, or crimes occurring at different types of places (e.g. schools, licensed premises etc). The tool contains the most up to date crime data available. It is updated every three months.
   

2. NSW Local Government Area excel tables (LGA). If you prefer to have an already prepared file, our Local Government Area excel tables provide five calendar years of crime data (rates and counts) for over 60 offence types for each NSW council area, the Greater Sydney Region, Regional NSW and Total NSW. These files also include  information about victims and alleged offenders, alcohol related crimes, crimes occurring at different premises types as well as during different months and times of the day. These files are updated quarterly.

3. Our quarterly recorded crime reports. 

For more information about police recorded crime categories, see Appendix 4 in the Recorded Crime Reports. This table shows the NSW Police Force incident categories comprising BOCSAR's offence categories. 

Hotspot maps are available for 11 offence types: domestic assault, non-domestic assault, alcohol related assault, robbery, break and enter dwelling, break and enter non-dwelling, motor vehicle theft, steal from vehicle, steal from person, steal from dwelling and malicious damage to property.

Unit record information will only be provided to bona fide researchers if they have first obtained ethics committee clearance from a recognised university or research institute for the proposed research. The approval must specifically cover the use of unit record level data from BOCSAR. After ethics approval has been granted, researchers must then complete and submit a Deed of Access form to BOCSAR's  Executive Director for assessment.

Further information and the necessary form

• BOCSAR's Information Service Policy - outlines the requirements and process for accessing data
• Unit Record Level Reoffending Requirements - covers access to offender‑based reoffending data
• Unit Record Level Criminal Incident Data Requirements - covers access to offence‑level criminal incident data

BOCSAR’s data comes from a variety of agencies within the NSW Criminal Justice System including the NSW Police Force, NSW Criminal Courts, Corrective Services NSW and Youth Justice.

Perturbation

To minimise the risk of identifying individuals in aggregate statistics, BOCSAR apply a technique called perturbation, which randomly adjusts cell values, including totals. This approach is also used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and is regarded as an effective method for protecting privacy.  

Key points for users:

• Perturbation involves the adjustment of reported numbers.
• As a result, reported values, especially small cell counts, do not necessarily reflect the true number.  This is also true of cells that appear to contain none or all of a sub-population.
• Avoid summing across perturbed counts to derive totals, as this can lead to inaccuracies. 

If you have concerns about the accuracy, quality, or handling of information provided to you, you may submit feedback or a complaint:

Telephone: (02) 8688 9800

Email: bcsr@dcj.nsw.gov.au

When making a complaint, please include:

• A brief description of your concern
• Who or which team, project or report your concern relates to
• Any details you have, such as dates, or reference numbers
• What you’d like us to do to resolve the issue
• Your contact details

BOCSAR will acknowledge your complaint within 3 business days and provide a response within 21 business days.

If you are not satisfied with the response to your complaint, you contact the NSW Ombudsman (Email: nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au; Phone: 02 9286 1000).